Annual ALS walk raises more than $150,000; patients optimistic about Northwestern's breakthrough research

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Bittersweet emotions filled Joe Davis Stadium on Saturday when about 900 participants came together to participate in the seventh annual Walk to Defeat ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

Hosted by the Alabama Chapter of the ALS Association, the walk raised more than $150,000, said Development Director Michele Savage, with more donations on the way. Funds raised from the event goes to benefit statewide services to support patients with ALS - also known as Lou Gehrig's disease - such as respite care grants, home modification, equipment loans and even iPads fixed with speech programs to aid communication.

"Without question, it was absolutely the largest we ever had in both terms of attendance and monies raised," said Stuart Oberman, chairman of the Alabama ALS chapter. "It was a fantastic turnout and we had beautiful weather."

ALS patients along with their friends and families at the annual walk were also reminded of hope, especially with this month's news about a breakthrough in research led by a team of scientists at Northwestern University. According to an Aug. 22 article in The Chicago Tribune, researchers discovered a common cause behind ALS for all types that could ultimately lead to treatment.

Oberman, whose son Eric lost his heart-wrenching yet inspiring seven-year battle with ALS at 26, says the discovery is an important piece of the complicated puzzle of ALS that gives families and patients a broader view of the disease mechanism.

"People with ALS follow the research news closely and when something significant like this is announced, they want to know more about this," said Oberman, who notes the chapter refers patients and family members to articles, frequently-asked-questions' documents and the paper compiled by the research team's lead authors and contributing scientists. "They are curious about what it means and want more information."

In the last few years, Oberman said, gene discoveries - like the Northwestern team's identification of mutations in a key protein called ubiquilin 2 - have been equally important components to the overall understanding of ALS.

"In general, patients and families are always looking for hope," he said. "Eric was fighting to help the cause and raise money to fund research.

"Over time as he deteriorated, I saw this courageous and self-sacrificing attitude in him and all patients that 'I am fighting a battle that is too late for me, but fighting the battle for other patients,' " Oberman said. "Whether they can personally benefit or not, they are excited to be making progress."